Float plan helps save four boaters near Big Pine Key

MIAMI — Four people are safe after the Coast Guard rescued them from their capsized vessel near Big Pine Key, Florida, Sunday night.

At approximately 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Coast Guard Sector Key West received a report of an overdue 21-foot pleasure craft with four people aboard that departed Marathon, Florida, and never returned by sunset as planned. Sector Key West issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast (UMIB) and launched both air and sea assets.

After issuing the UMIB, sector Key West received a call from someone aboard the capsized vessel who provided their position. Coast Guard Station Marathon diverted to the position, located the capsized vessel and embarked all four people who were sitting atop the capsized vessels hull at approximately 9 p.m.